Three Calgary Hitmen players had Sunday’s tilt against the Tri-City Americans circled on the calendars for awhile.

The ex-Americans made sure they rubbed it in after skating to a 4-1 victory at the Dome.

Alex Gogolev had a goal and an assist and goaltender Chris Driedger made 16 saves to thwart his ex-teammates.

“I was really excited for the game when Mike (Williamson, head coach) told me I was getting it,” Driedger said.

“It couldn’t have went better.

“I don’t even know the guy who scored on me, so nobody has bragging rights over me.”

It was Brian Williams who provided the lone blemish on Driedger’s night as the Americans fell to 35-12-2.

Brady Brassart, Danny Gayle and Chase Clayton also scored for the Hitmen (31-17-3), who won their sixth straight.

They’ve now won 14 of their last 15 outings and have climbed into third place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Blueliners Spencer Humphries and Brock Sutherland were also facing their former squad, while forward Brooks Macek was forced to sit out with an injury.

“It’s one I was looking forward to on the schedule,” said Humphries, who suited up for 38 games with the Americans.

“I looked at the beginning of the year to see when we were playing them.

“I definitely did a little bit of trash-talking. I don’t like doing it when we’re down or tied. So I waited until the end there, and I let some of the guys have it.”

While the ex-Americans were looking to stick it to their buddies, Brassart was motivated to beat a former rival.

The former Spokane Chiefs winger doesn’t hide the fact he doesn’t like the Western Conference powerhouse.

“Tri and Spokane have a big rivalry,” Brassart said. “You never like seeing those guys win.

“They always have a good team, so it’s always fun to beat them.”

The Hitmen, who played three games in three nights, will be off until Friday, when they visit the Kootenay Ice (7 p.m., sportsnet960.com).

Driedger said veterans Jimmy Bubnick and Cody Sylvester have compared what this team is doing to the 2009-10 squad that won the WHL championship.

“The boys are hot right now,” Driedger said. “Jimmy and Sly have said the team we had two years ago showed the same kind of energy, work ethic and skill that we’re showing right now.

“I would say we’re definitely a threat. When all four of our lines are going, there’s no competing with us. We have so much depth.

“I would hate to play against us right now.”

Williams opened the scoring early in the second frame before the Hitmen responded with goals 29 seconds apart.

Brassart blocked Americans goaltender Ty Rimmer’s pass attempt behind the net, and the puck bounced into the crease, where both players dove for it. The Hitmen forward was just a bit quicker and tapped in his 16th of the season.

Gayle cashed in a rebound on the next shift, and the home side grabbed all the momentum.

Gogolev hammered a slapshot over Rimmer’s shoulder in the third period before setting up Clayton from behind the net to close out the scoring.